Raising a generation of bookworms

Book worms will tell you that when you are reading a good book, you are never lonely. With just words and our imaginations our favourite books have not only kept us company but have taken us to magical and exotic destinations without having to buy a plane ticket.

Julia Odiona is passionate about reading and writing, and she is sharing this passion with schools and charities.

Through her Books For Life initiative, she wants young adults and children to read more books and express themselves by writing and journaling. She said in the digital era we find ourselves in, journaling has lost popularity and young people often express their thoughts on social media. As a tool, social media have a lot of great uses but opening yourself up to the world also leaves you vulnerable to bullying, trolls and their hateful comments. Everybody knows how detrimental that can be to a teenager or a young child. But there is safety and warmth in writing down your thoughts and feelings in a diary or journal.

Julia, who has been working with children through the initiative said, “Books are important and they broaden your mind. I believe it is important to encourage the youth to read because it has been proven that people who read more books tend to be more successful. Writing journals can help young people (and adults) to find ways of coping and healing from life’s harsh experiences.”

The Radiokop resident said she currently works with schools, but was looking forward to extending the project to charities. She believes books are becoming obsolete, and she is working with young children to keep the culture of reading alive. “I would like to take this initiative to charities because those kids often don’t have access to books. I have collaborated with a book retailer to donate books, journals and pens to children living in informal settlements,” she explained.

She meets up with the kids and reads stories that are relatable to the African experience. During the sessions, they discuss the experience of reading and the role books play. The groups read, write and give a short speech about the stories they read, or their experiences. “If we can teach young people healthy ways to express themselves, we will have adults who are better communicators. Journaling is a practical and safe way to get young people to express their feelings,” she said.

Among the impressive feathers in her cap, Julia is also a finalist in the Miss Grand South Africa 2021, an international pageant that will be taking place in Thailand. She said the pageant has given her the opportunity and platform to do what she is passionate about, “… which is children,” she acknowledged.